Rassie Erasmus's stint as South Africa boss has moved into crisis territory after they suffered yet another loss, falling to an 18-23 defeat against Australia in Brisbane.
The Springboks were their own worst enemy throughout. Their handling was consistently poor, game management was non-existent and they gifted the Wallabies a simple try with a total line-out malfunction.
Coming into the game, several South African fans were perplexed by Erasmus's selection of Bongi Mbonambi instead of Malcolm Marx at hooker. Erasmus defended the call prior to the game declaring it the "right time" to make the switch. However, in the first half, a mix-up on their own five metre line gifted Matt Toomua an easy try and Mbonambi was immediately taken off.
? It's half time in the second @SanzarTRC game of the morning. Despite this try from Matt Toomua @qantaswallabies ?? trail the @Springboks ?? 18-17.
Follow it Live here: https://t.co/wQsfJkyFtD pic.twitter.com/UKIyOI5jJZ
— Sky Sports Rugby (@SkySportsRugby) September 8, 2018
I feel really sorry for Bongi.
Not many players get pulled like that in test rugby.
So few infact, that I only think of two or three others.— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) September 8, 2018
Blame bongi all u want but someone called that lineout...
— Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) September 8, 2018
Some pretty ruthless substitutions from Rassie, hauling off Mbonambi after that horror throw.
— Neil Treacy (@neil_treacy) September 8, 2018
Could've at least waited until half time. If you don't want to play someone don't pick them. Humiliating them is unfair
— Brian Mujati (@MujatiBrewing) September 8, 2018
The win will go some way towards alleviating the pressure Michael Cheika is currently under, but pressure is now on for Erasmus, who took the radical move off making six changes prior to the game.
Things are set to get even more difficult, as a trip to Wellington to face New Zealand is on the horizon.
